3 Signs You're Being Taken Advantage of at Work

You might like your job or even love it, but if you’re being taken advantage of in any way, sooner or later your happiness will turn into resentment. Here are three signs you’re being taken advantage of at work and what to do about it.

Co-workers push their work on you 
A request from your co-workers to help out every now and then is normal and acceptable. However, if someone has a pattern of coming to you with their latest “emergency” or tries to manipulate you with, “You’re such a great writer, would you mind editing my report again?” it’s time to recognize you’re being taken advantage of. 

Solution 
Be proactive and deal with this before they come to you again. Explain that in the future you won’t be able to help them out because it’s cutting into the time you need to do your own work. That conversation might not be easy but it will be easier than dealing with them in the moment of their crisis or when they try to sway you with their praise of how great you are.

You work too much overtime without getting anything back 
Everyone has to work overtime now and then. If you’re an hourly employee, check and see if your company is legally required to pay you for each hour of overtime. If they are and you don’t get paid, you are definitely being taken advantage of. If you’re a salaried employee and you’ve been working regular overtime, you should expect to be rewarded in some way. It might be in gaining new levels of responsibility that would make you more marketable, flex time, a raise or even a promotion. But if it seems you’re not going to be rewarded in any way (in due time), recognize there's a problem.

Solution 
Have a candid conversation with your boss and make sure he or she is aware of how much overtime you’ve been putting in. Count the hours you’ve worked from home at night or the weekends. Be prepared to suggest ways you’d like to be “compensated” and see if your boss will make it happen for you. If not, it’s time to find a place where you will be appreciated.

Your boss or co-workers steal your ideas 
A teacher recently told me one of her fellow teachers used the lesson plan and activities she'd shared in a meeting. The principal had observed that teacher's class and was very impressed. Instead of telling the principal it was a fellow teacher's work she borrowed, she remained silent. 

Solution 
Talk with the person and let them know you're aware of what they did. Tell them they need to make it right. With the teacher above, when the principal happened to be bragging about the teacher he had observed, the first teacher spoke up and said, “I’m glad you like it. That was my lesson plan and I gladly shared with everyone two weeks ago. Thank you for the compliment."